Raki, Kallmet and Albanian wine: the back story

About Raki, Kallmet and Albanian wine: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Tirana Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Raki is the national drink, made in villages and cellars across the country, and offered as a welcome almost everywhere. Albanian wine, made from native grapes, has been rediscovered in recent years.

Raki

Raki is a clear brandy, usually distilled from grapes, sometimes from mulberries (raki mani) or plums. It is strong and sipped slowly, often with meze, and homemade raki is a point of family pride. Tirana bars such as Komiteti serve long lists of regional rakis.

Native grapes

Albania’s own grapes include Kallmet, a red from the north around Shkodër and Lezhë, and Shesh i Zi (red) and Shesh i Bardhë (white) from central Albania. Vlosh, Pulës and Debinë are other native varieties.

Gëzuar! (Cheers!)

Wineries near Tirana

Several wineries are within easy reach of the city, such as UKA Farm on the outskirts of Tirana, and there are more around Durrës, Berat and Shkodër.

Beer

Birra Tirana and Birra Korça are the classic Albanian beers. Craft brewing has arrived too: KAON has a beer garden in Tirana.

Our advice: let the bar or restaurant suggest a raki and a local wine, taste Kallmet and Shesh i Zi side by side, and visit a winery such as UKA Farm for lunch. Sip raki slowly: it is stronger than it looks.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Raki, Kallmet and Albanian wine: the back story before you go.